Jenna Lucado Bishop chats with teenage girls at a camp in Colorado.
27
Aug
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
Jenna Lucado Bishop in Haiti
Jenna Lucado Bishop is serving God at an orphanage in Haiti. How are you serving God in your own community?
26
Aug
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
We All Need Somebody to Lean On
You have a destiny that God has designed for you. He wants you to live in a way that honors him, to be part of his plan to bring other people to know him, and eventually to have the same character traits that Jesus has. But part of God’s plan is that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish any of this by yourself. Of course, you need his Spirit, and he’s given you that. But you also need other people.
God wants his people to care about each other and to be able to depend on each other. Your strengths and weaknesses are different from another person’s. That person may be able to help you with an area of your life that gives you a lot of trouble. Or you may be able to help someone else see clearly in a situation that is really confusing to him.
Everyone has to trust Jesus as an individual. But once you become a Christian, your life and your relationship with God is connected to other people. You need other Christians! And they need you.
“Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts.” — Romans 12:4-5 NCV
Excerpted from Revolve: The Complete New Testament. © 2003 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New Century Version. © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
19
Aug
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
A Lifetime of Hallelujahs
When you spend time in prayer, do you find yourself focusing on all your needs, your concerns, and desires of your heart? Jesus can meet all your needs, and the Bible says he will give you what you want if you enjoy serving him (Psalm 37:4), right? But what about praising God?
Other than the obligatory “thanks” for all he has done that day, how much of your time with God is spent praising and just worshiping him? If you’re like most people, that’s probably not a lot.
As the Book of Revelation unfolds and describes what will happen in heaven and on earth in the last days, the people in heaven repeat “Hallelujah!” They praise God over and over for all the things he has done.
The list of things you can praise him for is endless. Step outside and praise him for the leafy green trees, clean air, and the coat you’re wearing if it’s cold. Thank him for the twinkling stars and sparkling night sky. Praise him for the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the things you have. Praise him for making you the unique person that you are. Praise him for the opportunity to be his kid.
It may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but God adores connecting with you this way. Take a few minutes and start telling God about all the stuff you love about him. He deserves a lifetime of hallelujahs!
Then I heard what sounded like a great many people, like the noise of flooding water, and like the noise of loud thunder. The people were saying: “Hallelujah! Our Lord God, the Almighty, rules. Revelation 19:6 NCV
Excerpted from Revolve™ 2009: The Complete New Testament. © 2008 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New Century Version. © 2005 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
12
Aug
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
Too Far Gone? Not!
Know any people who think they’re too far gone for Jesus? Maybe they think their sins are too big or their lives too ugly. They think God couldn’t possibly save them. They think God’s probably mad or that he’s given up on them by now or that he’s too holy to want them around.
Well, this passage is for the hopeless. God delights in saving the unlovable and the lost and the ones who think they could never be saved. To think that God couldn’t save you because you’re too far gone is to say, “I’m bigger than God. I can do something so evil that he can’t forgive me. I have more power than God.” The truth is that everyone is hopelessly lost without him and every sin is repulsive to him. But Jesus died for everybody—no exceptions. Anyone who calls out to him will be saved.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.”That Scripture says “anyone” because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him, as the Scripture says, “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 NCV
Excerpted from Revolve: The Complete New Testament. © 2003 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New Century Version. © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
05
Aug
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
Is Your Mouth a Turnoff?
Do you use your speech to build people up or tear them down?
In Ephesians 4:29, Paul says to use “words that help others become stronger.” Words are so important—nothing kills attractiveness like rudeness. Not only does smart, helpful talk make the guys and girls around you feel better, but it puts you at ease, too. Encouragement is also refreshing—like a cool drink on a hot day.
So the next time you feel yourself losing it, take a time out, and ask God to give you the right words to say. Use your lips to lift up the listener!
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 NCV
Excerpted from Revolve™ 2009: The Complete New Testament. © 2008 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New Century Version. © 2005 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
03
Aug
2010
Posted by Courtney Clark Cleveland
And More Stories . . . from Courtney Clark Cleveland
STORY #2
A few weeks after I got home from Africa I volunteered for a week at a Young Life Capernaum camp. A camp dedicated to kids and young adults with disabilities. This week was one of the greatest privileges of my life (although I did not know this going into it).
Before this week, I had never really had anything to do with people who had disabilities or special needs. I just didn’t know how to relate or what to say. Of course, I would never be ugly or make fun, and I try not to stare, but be their friend?! Uh, that might be asking too much.
But what I learned this week was that you CAN laugh with them and you CAN talk to them just like normal. They want to be accepted and loved just like me, just as they are.
I was struck by the similarities of Africa and Young Life camp:
- Both places were full of uncomfortable situations.
- Both places were full of language barriers.
- Both places give the BEST hugs and have the most GENUINE smiles. Because both places have the same core desire that I do, our life experiences may offer us different perspectives, but deep down our desire to dream, be loved, have friends, experience triumphs and hurts – IT’S THE SAME.
And God started to shake the comfort out of me. I met a girl named Koren.
She is trapped in her body. Her central nervous system just doesn’t work. By all intensive purposes, it appears like nobody is home. But somebody is at home. She’s absolutely brilliant and so desperately wants to be treated with respect. I spent some time with her one afternoon and afterwards had to go for what I like to call a “cry walk” with God begging for forgiveness for how I have ignored or been too uncomfortable to care.
Even the time that I spent with her I had to force myself to stay. All of her body language said, “Get away from me.” But I had to trust that what she had TYPED was true. That she desired to hug me and respond well but her body didn’t allow it. I had to force myself to talk to her like a 29 year old and not a baby. I had to force myself to simply sit and be with her. And I’m so glad I did.
I interviewed her so that you guys could meet her. I hope you enjoy and soak in what she has to say.
Jesus tells us – “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Well, doesn’t that make SO much sense!!!
Pavis and Koren have FOUND LIFE in the midst of what many might perceive as LOST LIFE.
Meeting Pavis and Koren gave me perspective. It might seem like God has allowed some really bad things to happen in their lives, but I’m encouraged and in awe of how they have responded despite what’s in front of them.
Neither of them said, “Oh, it’s been so great!!!” or “I’ve NEVER been mad at or questioned God.” They just love Him. And are continuing to simply wake up each morning and live for Him.
I’m not saying that Koren or I or Revolve have the right answer but it helps to get some perspective that I hope pushes us closer to wanting to engage with God. To not stop asking the hard questions. To keep wrestling with Him.
We won’t ever be able to have all the answers but my hope is that we scoot a little closer to trusting Him with our lives.
STORY #3
And just to finish strong – the day after I got back from camp – I fell down the stairs and here I still sit nursing my swollen ankle that won’t heal because I won’t stay off of it.
28
Jul
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
Being Salty
Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:13-14 that part of being a Christian is being salt and light to this world. Being salt means that a follower of Jesus creates a thirst for greater information. When you meet someone who is different and has qualities superior to your own, you want to know why that person is different. Have you ever met someone who was really cool, had a great attitude even when life was hard, did nice things for no obvious reason, and later found out that she was a Christian? That explained it! That person was being salt. She made people want to know what made her different.
How about light? A light shines and gives direction. It points people toward the right path. Do you know Christians who radiate Jesus? Others are drawn to them. Their lives are examples that many want to follow. People see their goodness and know it is Jesus who lives in them. Jesus says don’t hide who you are. Don’t put your light under a basket where others can’t see it. Go boldly into the world and give ‘em Jesus. You are bound to change the place where you are when others see Jesus in you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on. You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 NCV
Excerpted from Revolve: The Complete New Testament. © 2003 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New Century Version. © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
27
Jul
2010
Posted by Courtney Clark Cleveland
Stories . . . from Courtney Clark Cleveland
IT’S SUMMER!! The smack-dab-middle of it actually. And boy is it HOT! I’m in Texas, where are you? If you are at the beach . . . I’m jealous. We love seeing where you all are on WEDNESDAYS here at the ole’ RevolveTour.com – so don’t forget to tell us tomorrow!
Hopefully you are finding some time to relax and enjoy a snowball here and there. In the meantime I thought I’d share a little bit about my summer and tackle one of the questions we get often.
THE QUESTION: “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”
You know, something light and easy. 
It’s a tough question and let me say right here and right now, I’m not saying I can answer it, but I was hoping that through sharing a few encounters I’ve had this summer, maybe you’d find some encouragement.
STORY #1
I went to Zambia in June with Hoops of Hope to deliver some backpacks that many of you helped us raise money for by shooting hoops. (Thank you so much btw!!!)
One of the moments that impacted me was meeting a volunteer caregiver named Pavis and her baby girl Joy.
Pavis volunteers her time once a week to visit Monica, who is HIV positive, and provide her care. It is such a long walk for Monica to get to the clinic. It’s a very long walk for Pavis, as well.
Pavis is a mom and a farmer. It’s not like she can hop in her car and run a few quick errands. And it’s not like Pavis has a ton of resources herself. But once a week she straps baby Joy onto her back and heads to Monica’s village to love her.
I asked her why she volunteered so much of her time each week to care for Monica.
She told me, “I lost both of my parents to HIV. This is just my way of giving back.”
Oh.
So let me get this straight.
That’s a really bad thing that happened to you. Losing both of your parents.
And you are choosing to love others and serve out of this tragedy that happened to you.
Hmm . . .
(More stories coming soon!)
22
Jul
2010
Posted by The Revolve Tour
Revolve Tour Challenge – Week 8!
Guess what? Only two challenges left! It’s time for the eighth challenge. How have you done so far? We have seen some great pictures and comments coming from you girls. Excellent work.
Your challenge this week? Pretend you’re a speaker for The Revolve Tour. If you could share one specific thing to thousands of teen girls across the country, what would it be? We can all learn from those around us, so here’s your chance to share some of your wise words. Have a favorite Scripture to share? A story of how a friend helped you when you were sad or struggling? How the Lord moved in your heart exactly when you needed it? What would you tell us? We’re listening.
Please don’t forget to let us know that you participated! Remember to leave your answer on Twitter or Facebook, or reply below. You will then be entered for a chance to win the grand prize: a bag full of Revolve surprises! It’s going to be super-duper fantastic . . . really.
You Revolve girls are super creative. It’s been a blast seeing all your Revolve Tour Challenge entries. There’s still time to play!! Complete all 9 challenges by July 29, 2010 and don’t forget to leave a comment. (If you don’t comment, we can’t enter your name in the giveaway.) Need a recap of the rules for the challenge? Click here.
We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
